The AFDO Audio Podcast

2022 Healthy People 2030 Summit Overview Jan 24, 2022

We interviewed Healthy People co-chair Ernest Jullian about the Summit and it's progress.

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, more than 160 people focused on food safety continued to move the needle on actionable steps to decrease foodborne illness. For two and half days last week, meeting both in person and virtually, key subject matter experts and leaders continued the conversation while updating 2020 recommendations and developing new ones.

Encouraging people to think outside of the box when it comes to changes needed to reduce foodborne illness continues to inspire change. Attendees from all facets of food safety from academia to state program managers, the focus was on the collaboration and development of a reduction action plan that brings together all partners who have a stake in this priority.

AFDO President Mark Sestak and AFDO's 20-21Priorities Sep 08, 2020

This AFDO podcast is with Mark Sestak, AFDO's 20-21 president. Sestak talks about his journey to the presidency and shares his priorities for AFDO this year.

Topher Philgreen about Bulking Food Repacking During COVID-19 Jul 24, 2020

This week's AFDO Podcast addresses the impact of COVID-19 on bulk repackaging events that have become even more critical during the pandemic.We visited virtually with Topher Philgreen with Something to Eat in the Kansas City area, about adjustments that have allowed repackaging events to continue to support at risk families.
In 2019, the Association of Food & Drug Officials (AFDO) pubished the Bulk Repacking of Non-Ready-to-Eat Dry Product for Charitable Distribution guide, providing a simplified set of standard operating practices designed to provide safe packing conditions. This guide is available at www.afdo.org/publications.

Oregon Program Supports Food Production and Farm Worker Safety Jun 29, 2020

The AFDO Podcast goes to the West Coast where the Oregon Department of Agriculture has developed COVID-19 response programs that will have a lasting impact. We visited virtually with Isaak Stapleton, Food Safety and Animal Health Program Director for the Oregon Department of Agriculture about Oregon’s Food Security and Farm Worker Safety.

IFPTI Fellowship Provides Opportunity for Food Protection Professionals Jun 22, 2020

A few weeks before the COVID-19 crisis hit, we interviewed Jerry Wojtala, Executive Director of International Food Protection Training Institute for IFPTI to learn more about the Institute in addition to the IFPTI Fellowship program. The Fellowships are a unique, year-long program for food protection professionals who want to make a positive impact on the profession through association membership, advocacy, and applied leadership. This program takes a multifaceted approach incorporating three on-location week-long sessions, periodic webinars, and a mentor-guided research project. This year those poster sessions will be done virtually.

IFPTI Works Behind the Scenes to Promote Food Protection Thru National Curriculum Standards Jun 15, 2020

Do you know what IFPTI does? A few weeks before the COVID-19 crisis hit, we interviewed Jerry Wojtala, Executive Director of International Food Protection Training Institute or IFPTI. IFPTI builds competency-based solutions for public- and private-sector food protection professionals. This translates to custom-designed learning organized around curriculum frameworks aligned with specific workforce competencies.

NASDA Podcast: Biofilms - What More do you Need to Know? May 27, 2020

NASDA 2020 Educators Roundtable Podcast: Biofilms - What More do you Need to Know?

Diane Walker, Research Engineer, Center of Biofilms Engineering, University of Montana, dianew@montana.edu

In this episode, Chris and Michelle talk with Ms. Diane Walker about the mission and research of the Center for Biofilm Engineering. She mentioned why biofilms are important when considering cleaning and sanitation under the produce safety rule. Discusses the research behind biofilms and how these important studies will help understand the reduction of contamination in the future. She also discusses dry biofilms, what they are and more importantly what they mean to produce safety. The podcasts ends with a discussion around the importance of standardizing methods for studying biofilms and their control.

Our series hosts are

Dr. Michelle Danyluk, Professor and Extension Specialist – Food Microbiology, University of Florida IFAS, mddanyluk@ufl.edu

Dr. Chris Gunter, Vegetable Production Specialist and Professor, North Carolina State University, cgunter@ncsu.edu

Resources

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2004.01.019

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.01.014

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.10.020

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02462

https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12496

Podcast Sessions Replacing Educators Round Table Workshop, Produce Safety Consortium March 2020

We connect with leading scientists across the country working in diverse areas of produce safety. In these casual discussions, our presenters share insights into the science behind some of our favorite topics in the Produce Safety Rule. These podcasts address water, cleaning, and sanitation issues beyond that expressly covered in the Rule. This series of podcasts has been developed, with help and support from NASDA, FDA, and AFDO, to explore the educational content originally scheduled for the Produce Safety Consortium Educator’s Pre-meeting workshop.

NASDA Podcast: Using Hygienic Design Principles to Improve Sanitation Practices on Produce Farms May 27, 2020

NASDA 2020 Educators Roundtable Podcast: Using Hygienic Design Principles to Improve Sanitation Practices on Produce Farms

Dr. Betsy Bihn, Cornell PSA Director, Cornell University, Director, Produce Safety Alliance; Executive Director, Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University, eab38@cornell.edu

Chris Callahan, PE, MBA, Extension Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering, University of Vermont, chris.callahan@uvm.edu

Michelle and Chris talk to Dr. Betsy Bihn and Chris Callahan, PE around challenges and opportunities in the produce industry related to cleaning and sanitizing, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and hygienic design of equipment. There’s a discussion about an additional group in need of education on this topic, the equipment manufacturing industry. Advances forward will require collaboration and communication between many groups including growers, postharvest researchers, food safety specialists, and manufacturers, to address the challenges that are unique to the produce industry.

Our series hosts are

Dr. Michelle Danyluk, Professor and Extension Specialist – Food Microbiology, University of Florida IFAS, mddanyluk@ufl.edu

Dr. Chris Gunter, Vegetable Production Specialist and Professor, North Carolina State University, cgunter@ncsu.edu

Resources

http://go.uvm.edu/hdpackage

https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/sites/producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/files/shared/documents/Cleaning-vs-Sanitizing.pdf

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FS/FS11900.pdf

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FS/FS12000.pdf

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FS/FS23400.pdf

http://67.199.119.73/articlePF.asp?id=926&sub=sub1

https://blog.uvm.edu/cwcaallah/2019/05/30/hygienic-and-sanitary-design-for-produce-farms/

Podcast Sessions Replacing Educators Round Table Workshop, Produce Safety Consortium March 2020

We connect with leading scientists across the country working in diverse areas of produce safety. In these casual discussions, our presenters share insights into the science behind some of our favorite topics in the Produce Safety Rule. These podcasts address water, cleaning, and sanitation issues beyond that expressly covered in the Rule. This series of podcasts has been developed, with help and support from NASDA, FDA, and AFDO, to explore the educational content originally scheduled for the Produce Safety Consortium Educator’s Pre-meeting workshop.

NASDA Podcast: Indicators, Index Organisms, and Generic E. coli May 27, 2020

NASDA 2020 Educators Roundtable Podcast: Indicators, Index Organisms, and Generic E. coli

Dr. Faith Critzer, Associate Professor and Produce Safety Extension Specialist, Washington State University, faith.critzer@wsu.edu

In this episode, Chris and Michelle talk with Dr. Faith Critzer about the confusion around the produce safety terms of indicators and index organisms. They discuss generic E. coli and what coliforms mean in water testing as opposed to environmental indicators for sanitation. Field sampling and the myth of testing your way to safety is also explored. Faith also points out some new directions research may go to fill the gaps that exist in the scientific literature.

Our series hosts are

Dr. Michelle Danyluk, Professor and Extension Specialist – Food Microbiology, University of Florida IFAS, mddanyluk@ufl.edu

Dr. Chris Gunter, Vegetable Production Specialist and Professor, North Carolina State University, cgunter@ncsu.edu

Resources

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.04.003

https://doi.org/10.3109/1040841X.2014.954524

https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00777-13

https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-18-185

https://doi.org/10.1264/jsme2.23.101

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00134

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174889

https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2016.2117

Podcast Sessions Replacing Educators Round Table Workshop, Produce Safety Consortium March 2020

We connect with leading scientists across the country working in diverse areas of produce safety. In these casual discussions, our presenters share insights into the science behind some of our favorite topics in the Produce Safety Rule. These podcasts address water, cleaning, and sanitation issues beyond that expressly covered in the Rule. This series of podcasts has been developed, with help and support from NASDA, FDA, and AFDO, to explore the educational content originally scheduled for the Produce Safety Consortium Educator’s Pre-meeting workshop.

NASDA Podcast: Hazards, Risks, and Agricultural Water Sampling May 27, 2020

NASDA 2020 Educators Roundtable Podcast: Hazards, Risks, and Agricultural Water Sampling

Dr. Don Schaffner, Extension Specialist in Food Science and Distinguished Professor.Rutgers University, don.schaffner@rutgers.edu

Chris and Michelle talk to Dr. Don Schaffner about risk assessment and risk management, and its use regarding agricultural water testing for the Produce Safety Rule. Don referred to a slide set that is posted (you might consider looking at it while you listen). Don starts by defining hazards and risks, and what it means for something to be “risk based”. The difference between risk assessors, risk managers, and risk communicators was also discussed, as was one of his favorite topics: indicator organisms. He then walks us through two recent papers that evaluated surface water sampling and their findings in relation to PSR requirements. This discussion includes “sampling your way to safety”, and the economics of sampling. The podcast ends with the thought that nothing in 100% safe, and encourages growers to be proactive and take the initiative on irrigation water testing.

Our series hosts are

Dr. Michelle Danyluk, Professor and Extension Specialist – Food Microbiology, University of Florida IFAS, mddanyluk@ufl.edu

Dr. Chris Gunter, Vegetable Production Specialist and Professor, North Carolina State University, cgunter@ncsu.edu

Resources

https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-18-185

https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-17-122

https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/sites/producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/files/shared/documents/2017%20GM%20STV%20Worksheet%20v1.0.pdf

http://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/resources/educational-materials/fsma-produce-safety-rule-water-requirements-insights-get-you-organized

https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-produce-safety

https://go.ncsu.edu/schaffner_nasda_slideset

Podcast Sessions Replacing Educators Round Table Workshop, Produce Safety Consortium March 2020

We connect with leading scientists across the country working in diverse areas of produce safety. In these casual discussions, our presenters share insights into the science behind some of our favorite topics in the Produce Safety Rule. These podcasts address water, cleaning, and sanitation issues beyond that expressly covered in the Rule. This series of podcasts has been developed, with help and support from NASDA, FDA, and AFDO, to explore the educational content originally scheduled for the Produce Safety Consortium Educator’s Pre-meeting workshop.

NASDA Podcast: Influence of the Environment on Sampling and Water Test Results May 27, 2020

NASDA 2020 Educators Roundtable Podcast: Influence of the Environment on Sampling and Water Test Results

Dr. Channah Rock, Water Quality Extension Specialist and Professor, The University of Arizona, channah@cals.arizona.edu

Chris and Michelle talk to Dr. Channah Rock about agricultural surface water. They touch on site specific assessments, sanitary surveys, interpreting testing results, EPA recreational water quality standards, how to decide where to pull water samples from and recent challenges around infield water treatment. The podcast ends with a discussion around the importance of standardization in methods to directly compare work from different regions. *Note – FDA reviewers note currently no antimicrobials are currently registered to treat irrigation water for pathogens of public health concern.

Our series hosts are

Dr. Michelle Danyluk, Professor and Extension Specialist – Food Microbiology, University of Florida IFAS, mddanyluk@ufl.edu

Dr. Chris Gunter, Vegetable Production Specialist and Professor, North Carolina State University, cgunter@ncsu.edu

Resources

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.03.013

https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-19-381

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2017.12.018

Podcast Sessions Replacing Educators Round Table Workshop, Produce Safety Consortium March 2020

We connect with leading scientists across the country working in diverse areas of produce safety. In these casual discussions, our presenters share insights into the science behind some of our favorite topics in the Produce Safety Rule. These podcasts address water, cleaning, and sanitation issues beyond that expressly covered in the Rule. This series of podcasts has been developed, with help and support from NASDA, FDA, and AFDO, to explore the educational content originally scheduled for the Produce Safety Consortium Educator’s Pre-meeting workshop.

Food Groups Develop Decision Tool for Manufacturing Operations May 18, 2020

We interviewed Dr. Sanjay Gummalla, Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs, American Frozen Food Institute about tool mentioned above and how the Food and Beverage Issue Alliance (FBIA) members collaborated to create it. AFFI, Consumer Brands Association, United Fresh Produce Association, American Bakers Association, National Fisheries Institute, International Dairy Foods Association and others worked together to draft a decision tool for manufacturers. The tool can be used by public health officials as well. It is available here.

Partnership for Food Safety Education Promotes Consumer Empowerment May 10, 2020

A few weeks before the COVID-19 crisis hit, we interviewed Shelley Feist, Executive Director of the Partnership for Food Safety Education about the Partnership's role in U.S. food safety. She shares how the Partnership brings together stakeholders to meet consumers where they are in educating them.

Trade Association Supports Produce Industry, Food Safety Apr 27, 2020

A few weeks before the COVID-19 crisis hit, we interviewed Jennifer McIntire, VP Food Safety & Technology, United Fresh Produce Association about the work of the association and the safety issues facing the produce industry. She shares the work of United Fresh Produce and its 2020 agenda pre-pandemic

Changing Behaviors in Food Safety Apr 19, 2020

We have spent the past month working to change behaviors like handwashing and social distancing at a rapid pace in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Jennifer Tabanico, President of Action Research, says the research shows that one approach that has been successful is community-based social marketing. We sat down with her in January 2020 before the COVID-19 crisis but her approaches have application even now.

AFDO Executive Director Shares AFDO Response to COVID-19 Apr 13, 2020

It's been a busy few weeks as we all focus on COVID-19. This week's AFDO podcast is with Executive Director Steven Mandernach. Steve talks about the decision to cancel the AFDO Annual Educational Conference as well as AFDO's efforts to provide guidance, information and educational opportunities to members and other stakeholders.

Partnership Provides Resources for Small and Medium Food Manufacturers Mar 08, 2020

Partnership Provides Resources for Small and Medium Food Manufacturers

Created in 1988, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s purpose is to provide small and medium sized manufacturers with the help needed to succeed by improving productivity, economic competitiveness and technological capabilities. In this AFDO podcast, we visit with Craig Doan, Chief Food Scientist with Impact Washington and part of the MEP network. Doan shares how the network works and who can benefit from it. For more information, visit https://www.nist.gov/mep .

MEP is a results-based national network of locally-operated and staffed non-profit, university-based, and state-based organizations leveraging federal, state and local, and private resources. The food industry is ubiquitous across the country and while the concentration of the food industry varies by states, all MEP centers have food industry clients. This partnership among the federal government, state and local governments, and the private sector provides hands-on assistance and services to U.S. manufacturers through manufacturing extension offices in every state across the country and in Puerto Rico. The nationwide network of MEP Centers operating approximately 400 service locations are managed at the federal level by DOC NIST. The NIST MEP National Network, over any given year, typically works with over 25,000 manufacturers across the United States, serving as trusted advisors, focused on solving manufacturers' process and product challenges and identifying opportunities for growth.

Know Exactly What You Will Invest in Environmental Sampling Feb 20, 2020

Are you required to perform environmental monitoring under the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Preventive Controls for Human Food rule? What kind of dollars do you need to budget? Charlie and Michael Kalish have developed a cost estimating tool and we talked with the brothers about it. You can read more after the podcast at

https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/enewsletter/estimating-the-cost-of-environmental-monitoring/?emailaddress=bbenschoter@afdo.org

Author Deborah Blum Shares Insight Into "The Poison Squad" Jan 27, 2020

PBS's The American Experience: The Poison Squad premiere is based on the book by the same name by Deborah Blum. Those of you who attended the 2019 Annual Education Conference had the treat of hearing about Blum's journey of discovery into beginnings of food safety. We sat down with Blum right after her engaging presentation and talked about Harvey Wiley and how his story impacts what AFDO members do every day in 2020. This week's podcast features Blum's view on evidence-based food safety policy as well as how the Poison Squad's place in history can inform work with cannabis.

Update on the Era of Smarter Food Safety Efforts with Frank Yiannas Jan 20, 2020

During the Foodborne Illness Reduction through Healthy People 2030 Summit, Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response with the FDA shared current foodborne illness intervention strategies as well as progress on the Era of Smarter Food Safety that Yiannas rolled out as an initiative in 2019.
We sat down with the Deputy Commissioner Yiannas for an update on the Era of Smarter Food Safety as well as the romaine recall.

Food Safety At Large Scale Events Jan 05, 2020

Whether you have struck gold with a Super Bowl ticket or are attending your local concert with a few thousands of your friends, large scale events can be successfully managed for food safety. Check out this article in the January 2020 issue of Food Safety Magazine that features the behind-the-scene planning that goes nto the large events. https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/magazine-archive1/december-2019january-2020/ensuring-food-safety-at-large-scale-events/
This podcast is with with one of the panelists in this article, Venessa Sims, MEP, GA-CEM, director of emergency management, Georgia Department of Agriculture. Sims presented about the her team's work on SuperBowl Food Safety at the AFDO Conference in 2019. Georgia has practiced its response to large events to help keep the public safe.

Key to Working With Legislators is Attention! Dec 23, 2019

Legislators both national and state are packing up their bags and heading home. A new session of most starts in January. In this AFDO podcast, we look at ways to make your work with legislators more effective in 2020. We sat down with Doug Farquhar, Program Director for Environmental Health for the National Conference of State Legislatures, as he shared tips for helping state representatives as knowledgeable as they can be when they address issues that impact AFDO members.

As State Legislatures Wind Down Looking at the Year Preps for the Future Nov 24, 2019

The pace of legislative activity involving all facets of food and device safety at the state level has increased. We sat down with Doug Farquhar, Program Director for Environmental Health for the National Conference of State Legislatures, and discussed what has happened in 2019 and what state regulators should be looking at for the future.

How Yum! Brands Piloted Social Media Use to Aid with Illness Outbreak Prediction Nov 17, 2019

Dan Tew, Sr. Manager Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs for the Yum! Brands, shares an exciting pilot Yum! Brands has used to help locations stay ahead of illness outbreaks that could impact employee attendance as well as the spread of the illnesses.

Using Data in Support of Improved Food Safety at Retail Nov 10, 2019

Laura Brown, Safe Food Section Team Lead for the CDC, discusses how CDC data shows what the food safety issues have improved and what still needs to be done. Brown discusses how data can bring focus to outreach for the most impact.

The Rapid Road to Cannabis and Hemp Legislation at the State Level Nov 03, 2019

There has been increased legislative activity at the state level on both cannabis and hemp. We sat down witjh Doug Farquhar, Program Director for Environmental Health for the National Conference of State Legislatures and discussed how legislation is being developed and often passed across the country. Farquhar also shares ideas for working with representatives who make these key decisions.

Kansas Professional Shares Food Safety Successes and His Musical Approach Oct 27, 2019

We enjoyed visiting with AFDO members around the country during September's Food Safety Education Month so much, we kept on going.This week's podcast is with Adam Inman, Assistant Program Manager, Food Safety and Lodging, Kansas Department of Agriculture. He shares his team's successes with crossing the language barrier in food service, making a point of sharing with colleagues beyond Kansas, and sharing the Kansas approach as often as possible. Inman, pictured above with his guitar, also shared an approach he is about launch that marries music and food safety education.

AFDO Training Programs Enhances Effectiveness and Accessibility Oct 11, 2019

These are not your mother's training programs. Learning with AFDO is better than ever. AFDO's Randy Young shares how innovation continues to improve training that serves the more than 40,000 regulators nationwide. Randy is AFDO's Instructional Designer. He has be instrumental in continuing the improvements in ADFO's training partnerships. Randy shares what members should know about AFDO training and its future.

Got Task Force? Oct 09, 2019

We recently sat down with Iowa's Jennifer Pierquet (now a member of the AFDO staff) and Jennifer Bonsky, MFRPS Coordinator and RRT Specialist Food and Dairy Division for the state of Michigan, to talk about the value of task forces. They share their tips for making them most effective before you need them as well the value of getting everyone on board.

Innovative Thinking (even a robot of sorts) Extends Food Safety Reach in Washington State Sep 29, 2019

We are wrapping up National Food Safety Education Month with a conversation with Randy Treadwell from Washington State Department of Agriculture. Randy is the Program Manager for the Rapid Response & Emergency Management. He shares how integration and technology support the work he does meeting consumers where they are and the success of the RRT in Washington state.

Produce Safety Begins On The Farm Sep 19, 2019

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Many AFDO members are educating consumers to be their own food safety superheroes. At AFDO, we continue our series of discussions about food safety innovation with Valerie Gamble, Produce Safety Program Manager in the Food and Feed Safety Division at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Her team's work has built a program that has given a voice to the produce producers in Minnesota while shaping a paradiagm where responsiveness is key.

Food Safety is Job One at McDonald's Sep 15, 2019

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Many AFDO members are educating consumers to be their own food safety superheroes. At AFDO, we continue our series of discussions about food safety innovation with Dionne Crawford, Manager of U.S. Food Safety for McDonald's Corporation. Check out our AFDO food safety superheroes podcasts here. Learn more about McDonald's commitment to food safety.

Food Safety is a Team Job for Georgia Professional Sep 06, 2019

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Many AFDO members are educating consumers to be their own food safety superheroes. At AFDO, we will be talking with some of you who are doing exceptional and innovative work in food safety. This week's podcast guest is Natalie Adan, Food Safety Division Director for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

It's Hurricane Season -- Lessons for Regulators No Matter Where They Live Part Two Aug 26, 2019

In October 2019, Hurricane Michael created more than the usual hurricane aftermath and food instability issues in Florida. At the 2019 AFDO annual conference, panelists looked at the human side of the devastation that resulted in a long-term recovery that continues today.
We sat down with Michael Roberson, Director of Corporate Quality Assurance with Publix Super Markets, to discuss the retail side of recovery months later. He shares more about the human-side of this disaster as well as the lessons learned about relationships before you need them in the midst of a disaster in a podcast.

Hurricanes Have Lessons for Regulators No Matter Where They Live Aug 20, 2019

In October 2018, Hurricane Michael created more than the usual hurricane aftermath and food instability issues in Florida. At this year's AFDO annual conference, panelists looked at the human side of the devastation that resulted in a long-term recovery that continues today.
We sat down with Tracy Johnstone, a Mcdonald's owner/operator who herself is on the road to recovery. She shares the human-side of this disaster in this podcast.

Smarter Food Safety with FDA's Frank Yiannas Jul 31, 2019

During the 2019 AFDO Educational Conference, we sat down with Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the FDA. He shared more about the March 2019 reorganization that resulted in the formation of the new office he leads. Yiannas said the new office’s focus would continue to be on FSMA and its implementation; collaborating with stakeholders on food safety response; and a new era of “smarter food safety.” Yiannas outlined plans for harnessing technology to support the accelerated change in the food system and the consumer’s demand for those changes.

New Repacking Guidance Document Jul 31, 2019

As more volunteers hope to lend a hand in fighting food insecurity in the U.S., the need
for a guide for food repacking events has been met through a collaboration of some of the
organizations most impacted. Published by the Association of Food & Drug Officials (AFDO), the Bulk Repacking of Non-Ready-to-Eat Dry Product for Charitable Distribution guide is now
available to provide a simplified set of standard operating practices designed to provide safe
packing conditions. This will ensure that non-ready-to-eat dry products may continue to be
packaged by volunteers and non-profit organizations for distribution within the U.S. This guide is available at www.afdo.org/publications and through the AFDO smartphone app, which is free
through Apple and Google Play app stores.

2019-20 Priorities for Your AFDO with President Ernie Julian Jul 21, 2019

AFDO President Ernest Julian shares his vision and priorities for the year with food borne illness topping the list.

Making a Case for Attending the AFDO Education Conference Apr 19, 2019

Take a few minutes as AFDO Executive Director Steve Mandernach and Board member Pam Miles share selling points for why attending the annual education conference is a must for professionals.

Got recognition? Give some with AFDO Awards opportunities due April 1. Mar 22, 2019

Krystal Reed, AFDO Association Manager, explains the ease and value of recognizing people through a series of awards given out at the upcoming AFDO annual education conference. Nominations are due April 1.

AFDO Conference Preview -- Don't miss out on this program. Feb 22, 2019

AFDO Annual Conference -- What is in it for YOU! Feb 22, 2019

Conversion with Joe Corby regarding the formation of Partners with a Common Purpose Jan 14, 2019

Joe Corby, former AFDO executive director, shares the story of Partners with a Common Purpose, an initiative for creating change through a shared vision with food and medical products industry representatives. This shared vision recognizes a common purpose embraced and supported by government regulators and industry in improving public health and consumer services.

Conversation with Dawn Beck, Associate Director for Public Health, Olmsted County MN regarding risk-based approach to food inspections. Jan 02, 2019

Dawn Beck, Associate Director for Public Health, Olmsted County, Rochester, MN shares their success with risk-based approach to food inspections. The method called PTV, uses policy, training and verification as the benchmarks for holding food operators accountable for keep food safe.

Conversion with Katie Lott, Program Manager, Tacoma County, Washington on the expansion of risk factor assessments Jan 02, 2019

Katie Lott, Program Manager for Food and Community Safety for the Tacoma, Washington County Health Department, discusses how the expansion of their reach for risk factor assessment has been successful. They have used technology to augment the use of translated materials and visual communication when dealing with language barriers as well as reaching areas of their primarily rural state with information.

Conversation with Marla Phillips from Xavier Health Discussing Artificial Intelligence Oct 31, 2018

Marla Phillips the Director of Xavier Health discusses the work Xavier has been coordinating on artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical products arena, both drugs and devices. Marla brings her tremendous industry experience forward to health bring industry and regulatory patterns together to collaborate in new areas such as AI.

Xavier Health sponsors several conferences and seminars annually in the medical products area. For more information go to: https://www.xavierhealth.org.

Come to AFDO 2019 Educational Conference where Marla will be coordinating a new quality initiative being spearheaded by Xavier Health.

Conversations with Joe Corby and Steven Mandernach about AFDO Leadership Transition Oct 08, 2018

After years of leading the transformation of the Association of Food and Drug Officials to a key force in food and medical products regulation, Joe Corby is stepping down as executive director of AFDO. Stepping into the position is Steven Mandernach, currently Bureau Chief for Food and Consumer Safety at the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. These changes are effective October 8, 2018. During this episode Corby and Mandernach discuss AFDO.

http://www.afdo.org/resources/Documents/2018Conference/AFDO%20MR%20Leadership%20Change%20FINAL7.18.18.pdf

Special Edition: A Conversation with Summer Williams with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services about Hurricane Response Oct 01, 2018

For additional resources related to hurricanes please go to the following website:

https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Consumer-Resources/Health-and-Safety/Food-Emergencies-and-Disaster-Preparation